San Augustine City Lake - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by Dan Ashe and Todd Driscoll
Inland Fisheries Division - Jasper District

This is the authors' summary from a 23-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in San Augustine City Lake were surveyed in 2022 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2023 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2022-2023 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

San Augustine City Lake is an impoundment of Carrizo and Caney creeks. The City of San Augustine is the controlling authority, and primary uses are water supply and recreation. This reservoir has a surface area of 200 acres, a shoreline length of 5.5 miles, and a mean depth of 10 feet. Water level fluctuations average three feet annually. Boat and bank access are adequate, with one boat ramp present.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White and Black Crappie, and Channel Catfish. Historically, hydrilla has been problematic. In 2002, coverage was 75% of the reservoir surface area, and Largemouth Bass growth and body condition were poor. During 2002 and 2003, Triploid Grass Carp were stocked at a rate of 4 fish/vegetated acre (600 fish total) in an attempt to reduce hydrilla coverage to 10-15%. In 2005, hydrilla coverage was reduced to a manageable level (50 acres), but drought conditions throughout 2006 (coupled with Triploid Grass Carp presence) resulted in the eradication of hydrilla. No hydrilla has been observed since 2006. Four artificial fish attractor sites were established in 2017. Largemouth Bass were managed with a 14- to 18-inch slot length limit from 2004 until 2018. In 2018, the regulation was changed to the statewide 14-inch minimum length limit due to ineffectiveness of the slot length limit to increase abundance of > 14-inch fish and to simplify regulations statewide.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were the primary prey species in the reservoir and electrofishing catch rate was high (4,324.0 fish/h). Electrofishing catch of sunfish was low (combined 147.0 fish/h) and primarily consisted of Redbreast Sunfish and Redear Sunfish. Few sunfish were available as prey, as most fish observed were > 5 inches in length.
• Catfishes: Gill netting indicated an increase in abundance of Channel Catfish in 2023 compared to the previous survey in 2019. A Blue Catfish was observed for the first time in this waterbody and likely resulted from an illegal introduction.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass abundance increased compared to the two previous surveys, likely a result of a robust 2021 year class. Size structure has remained consistent, with most fish < 15 inches in length. Largemouth Bass were in adequate condition.
• Crappies: Only White Crappie were observed during the 2022 trap net survey. However, Black Crappie have been observed in previous surveys at low abundance. White Crappie abundance has declined significantly since the 2014 survey.

Management Strategies

Inspect artificial habitat structures in 2026 and repair or refurbish if needed. Coordinate with the City of San Augustine to control or eradicate any invasive aquatic vegetation infestations that may occur.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program